Outside of Cap-Haitien is the monument of Vertieres where the final battle for Haiti's Independence were fought between Dessalines's indigenous army and France's colonial forces on November 18, 1803. As a result, the rebel slaves were victorious and Napoleon's troops were ousted from Haiti. Further down in Breda, another monument is highlighted with a statue of Toussaint Louverture, a former slave who became the inspired leader of the black men's freedom.

The magnificent bronze monument of Vertieres

Feel like relaxing, there are nice hotels and spectacular beaches easily accessible in Cap-Haitien. Rival beaches is minutes away followed by Cormier Beach Resort and the Labadie-Coco beach conveniently located to offer a day of sunshine and swimming. All resorts feature amenities, sports, and excellent local bands or dance troupes that are sure to delight. Transportation arrangements are also available from the hotels to the beach. Restaurants are within walking distance of the hotels. However, delectable Creole, European and American Cuisines are only served at the various hotel dining rooms in Cap-Haitien.

Cap-Haitien, the second largest city of Haiti can be better reached by plane, by cruise ships and private yachts. It is indeed the highlights of Haitian History beside the cultural values of its architecture. Since 1995, the city has been classified a national heritage.

Labadee-Coco Beach on the secluded Pointe Saint-Honore, Cap-Haitien

Hotel Mont-Joli on a hilltop in the midst of Cap-Haitien

A dance-troupe performing the Haitian Folklore

The Breda Habitation where Toussaint Louverture was born

The Place d'Armes in Cap-Haitien

The stone columns of Barriere Bouteille, the entrance of the City

A Colonial House in the midst of Cap-Haitien

Located on the North coast of Haiti, the City of Cap-Haitien is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Cap's mountain, which gives to the city a unique character.

Founded in 1670 on an area that ought to be a Taino village called Guarico, the modest town of the filibusters of “Haut-du-Cap” was officially classified as colonial city of the French possessions of the New World in 1711 by an Order of Council.

A view of the city of Cap-Haitien

The well-preserved Cathedral Notre-Dame of Cap-Haitien

The ruins of the Sans-Souci Palace in Milot, Cap-Haitien

The Citadel Fortress, the largest fortress in the Caribbean and the eight wonder of the World

View of a royal battery and cannon balls in the Citadelle

There is quite a number of attractions in Cap-Haitien that can satisfy one's curiosity. The “Place d'Armes” of Cap-Haitien located across the Cathedral Notre-Dame has been recently renovated. There stands a statue of Jean-Jacques Dessalines one of the heroes of Haiti's Independence. What about the quality art work and famous paintings displayed in many shops and art galleries of the city. Some areas are packed with vendors selling all kinds of goods from the city gate Barriere-Bouteille to the festive marketplace. The famous cassava bread made right at your sights is something that should not be missed.

One of the most beautiful monuments in the city is the 18th century Cathedral with its silvered dome. In 1842, it has been destroyed by an earthquake along with the Sans-Souci Palace whose ruins stand 10 miles from Cap-Haitien, near the village of Milot. The monumental stairway of the palace is still intact. It was built as a royal residence and administrative center of Christophe's Kingdom and was a duplicate version of the model of one of the castles of King Frederick II of Prussia, in France. It is European in style in the midst of tropical nature.

Based on an extensive exploitation of the North plateau producing half of the World sugar achieved unjustly from a slave labor imported from Africa, the city of Cap-Francais, was in the 17 th Century the richest colony of the World nicknamed then as the “Paris of the Caribbeans”. In 1791, black slave leaders launched a general uprising and the fields and houses were destroyed. By 1802, the revolt soared to a full-fledged war for independence following more than one year of bloodshed. General Henri Christophe ordered to set the city on fire rather than to cede “Le Cap” to Napoleon's brother-in-law General Leclerc. After the country's independence in 1804, the city was renamed Cap-Henry and Christophe was self-appointed King. He built many palaces, among them Sans-Souci and the famous Citadelle which give to Cap-Haitien many evidences pertaining to its history.

Today, the city of Cap-Haitien - although defaced with disorderly urbanization and aggressive constructions - is a harbor town that has retained the charm of yesteryear with its colonial architectures and houses painted with tender colors. Some date back to the time of King Henry Christophe, in the 19 th century. The narrow streets have been crossing each other at right angles since colonial times.

At the summit of the Bonnet-a-l'Eveque mountain the presence of King Henry Christophe can still be felt with the impressive mass of the Citadelle Fortress. Built by Christophe in late 1804 to protect the country against a possible French invasion, which never came, the immense stone's structure with 12-foot walls took 13 years to build and the efforts of 20,000 people. It bristles with cannons and has around 45,000 cannon balls stockpiled inside and out. A monument to black people endurance, the Citadelle - which is erected at approximately 3,100 feet - dominates the bay of l'Acul and still stands for all to admire.